Woman delivers baby after being struck by lightning

A pregnant woman and her boyfriend are recovering after being struck by lightning earlier this month.

As a major lightning storm moved into Albuquerque on the Fourth of July, Ian Gordon and his pregnant girlfriend Kendra Villanueva knew they had to get inside quickly.

"I had turned and started walking," Gordon told Action 7 News. "And next thing I remember, I woke up on the ground. My car alarm was blaring and I was dazed. I didn't know what happened."

What happened was the young couple had been struck by lightning underneath a tree in Gordon's mother's front yard. Villanueva said she woke up bleeding from her hand, where electricity left her body. Her only concern was for her unborn baby.

"I woke up and I didn't think she was going to make it for sure,” Villanueva said.

Miraculously, the baby did make it. The young mom was rushed to the hospital and the newborn, Kimberly, was delivered by emergency C-section two and a half weeks early.

"The baby is still really shaky." Gordon said. "The doctors are watching her close."

Doctors aren't sure yet but they think little Kimberly will be just fine. Her dad, Gordon, is suffering from a ruptured eardrum.

"They said the lightning either entered or exited through my ear,” Gordon said.

He's using a cane while he regains his strength and balance, adding that he can't hear out of his left ear right now. He'll get more details next week about how long it will take to fully recover.

On Wednesday, the young couple got a chance to meet the first responders who saved them. The emergency workers were honored with the "hero's coin," presented by the Albuquerque Fire Department.

"I think it was great that we were in the area," said Lt. Kris Romero, who told Action 7 News he was in Engine 12, the first to arrive at the home on Glorieta Street in Northeast Albuquerque. "We headed straight over here and were here within minutes of the call."

Gordon said he's so grateful for the firefighters and paramedics who put their own lives in jeopardy to save his family.

"It was pouring rain and they risked their lives to get me off the ground,” Gordon said.

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